Technological autonomy for public adminstration: openDesk at the 2025 Digitaler Staat convention

Berlin is set to host the "Digitaler Staat" (Digital State) convention from 18–19 March 2025, themed “Digital Administration Goes On Air”. openDesk will be on location with its own exhibition stand for the first time ever, showcasing a full suite of solutions designed to enhance technological autonomy for public authorities.

Visitors will get a firsthand look at ZenDiS's entire “Sovereignty Package” which includes established Platform and Products divisions alongside their newly launched consulting services and pioneering “Sovereignty Check”. These tools are purpose-built to guide public bodies towards greater technological self-reliance, helping them identify and reduce critical dependencies on specific vendors.

openDesk’s exhibition stand (11+20, 1st floor) will highlight the increasing demand for solutions that go beyond short-term digitalisation wins to secure, long-term technological autonomy for public authorities. Less than five months since launching, openDesk has already fielded over 1,500 enquiries from public authorities and institutions throughout Germany, demonstrating a strong appetite for sovereign, open-source alternatives.

A sovereignty package to enable independence

ZenDiS's new consulting arm directly addresses the growing need within the public sector for support in achieving greater technological independence. It focuses on analysing IT dependencies and devising bespoke exit and migration strategies.

The new Sovereignty Check is a standout innovation: IT solutions are evaluated against objective criteria to determine their degree of sovereignty. It scrutinises applications, infrastructure, and cloud services, as well as providers, licences, and contracts, giving public organisations valuable intelligence on critical dependencies and clear paths towards digital self-determination.

Additionally, the openCode platform will be featuring a new badge programme designed to transparently communicate software quality and security via digital seals. Initially assessing licensing, maintenance, and reusability—with automated security checks coming soon—this service helps public bodies select appropriate tools and bolsters sustainable IT sovereignty across the public sector.

openDesk: Showcasing future-proof solutions

openDesk’s rising profile is evident in its impressive adoption rates: the open-source Office & Collaboration Suite currently supports 70,000 active Enterprise licences, having garnered over 1,500 enquiries from German public authorities since its debut. At the convention, the team will offer a glimpse of Version 1.2, set to simplify integration into existing IT landscapes by connecting with existing active directories.

ZenDiS staff will also contribute to several sessions at the convention, including panels on accelerating digital administration and exploring the benefits of open source. These discussions will offer practical insights into the advantages of a vendor-independent IT strategy.

We cordially invite attendees to drop by our stand (11+20, 1st floor) on 18–19 March to experience openDesk and openCode in action. You can even get a test account set up on the spot. Our team will be available for individual consultations and looks forward to connecting with you!